ThinkingAfield.org

June 8, 2026
Contact: Edward Baker, 906-235-6114 or Shawn Sitar, 906-235-1581

The unusually thin siscowet lake trout will be tested by fish pathologists

This month, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and fish pathologists from Michigan State University will make an expedition aboard the RV Lake Char to Superior Maximus, the deepest point of Lake Superior. The reason for this research vessel’s foray to the deep? To investigate the emaciated siscowet lake trout found in this Great Lake. These fish, nicknamed “zombies” because of their thin and undernourished bodies, have increased in number in deep waters, sparking concern and interest from the public and scientists alike. Lake trout in this zombie-like condition were discovered by a DNR fisheries research team during recent Lake Superior deepwater surveys of siscowet lake trout. During the upcoming research expedition, the crew plans to investigate — and, they hope, rule out — the possibility of a fish pathogen causing the highly emaciated appearance of these lake trout. They also plan to collect more of these fish for thorough testing.

Unlike the zombies of movies and television, “zombie” fish aren’t thought to have a contagious disease that they are spreading by biting other fish. Rather, their condition is believed to be a natural ecological phenomenon due to a lack of food in the deep waters in which they live. These extreme waters are prone to ecosystem shifts such as low food availability. Read more

Lumenok has announced the release of its new Fish-On Fishing Pole Light, an innovative bite-activated light designed to help anglers detect strikes day or night.

The Fish-On light activates automatically when a fish bites and the rod tip bends, giving anglers an immediate visual alert without the need for constant rod watching. Designed to work on most fishing poles, the compact and durable light is available in both green and red configurations.

Built for real-world toughness, the Fish-On light is virtually indestructible. During product testing, units were run over by a forklift and even struck with cinder blocks — and continued to function without issue. The light also features a replaceable battery design for long-term use and dependable performance on the water.

“Whether you’re catfishing at night, watching multiple rods, or simply want a better way to detect subtle bites, the Fish-On light gives anglers a reliable visual advantage,” said a company representative for Lumenok. “We designed it to be simple, durable, and tough enough for real fishing conditions.”

The Fish-On Fishing Pole Light is available in convenient 2-packs and carries an MSRP of $29.99.

Key Features

• Bite-activated illumination
• Works on most fishing poles
• Available in green and red
• Virtually indestructible construction
• Replaceable battery
• Easy installation
• Available in 2-packs
• MSRP: $29.99

For more information about the Fish-On Fishing Pole Light and other Lumenok products, visit Lumenok Official Website.

June 4, 2026
Contact: Acting 1st Lt. Robert Hobkirk, 989-225-8361

Two Ohio vacationers were rescued from Lake Huron after their kayaks capsized approximately 1 mile offshore of southern Sanilac County and northern St. Clair County Thursday around 10:30 a.m.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers Chris Kravitsky and Mark Siemen were patrolling about a mile offshore when they observed an overturned kayak. Further out, they saw two people clinging to one kayak.

The water was 25 feet deep and 43 degrees Fahrenheit.

The husband, 32 and wife, 36, visitors from Westerville, Ohio, had been kayaking while staying at a lakeside vacation home. Neither was wearing a life jacket.

According to the couple, increasing offshore winds began pushing them farther from shore, causing them to panic. The wife’s kayak overturned first, and when her husband attempted to assist, both kayaks capsized, leaving them stranded.

The husband was suffering from cold exposure and was highly distressed. The wife had sustained a significant cut to her foot and, due to a recent surgery on her right arm, required special care removing her from the water. Officers provided first aid for the wife’s foot while on the patrol boat before returning to shore. The couple refused additional medical treatment.

The officers were able to drain and secure the kayaks on their patrol boat.

The couple estimated they had been in the water for approximately an hour, though rescuers believe the actual time was closer to 20 to 30 minutes. Read more

The Lake St. Clair Fish Cleaning Foundation is raising funds for the construction and maintenance of a new public fish cleaning station at the Clinton River Cutoff DNR Boating Access Site in Harrison Township. Once the fish cleaning station is complete, it will be donated to the DNR.

The project was recently accepted into a matching grant program to help raise the $90,000 still needed — between now and July 31, donations to the project will be matched!

If you’d like to support the project or learn more, visit patronicity.com/fish. Read more

Blake Logan, a fisheries biologist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s Missouri River Program, holds a rare lake sturgeon after it was captured from the Missouri River at Gavins Point Dam. (Nebraska Game and Parks Commission)

Fisheries biologists for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission were collecting paddlefish for a study this spring when a large and rare fish for Nebraska showed up in the net.

A 70-pound lake sturgeon was pulled from the Missouri River at Gavins Point Dam on April 14.

Blake Logan and his fellow Missouri River Program biologists pulled in the net with the fish, which is listed as threatened in Nebraska. They photographed it, weighed it, and measured it at 59.6 inches in length. Read more